For a guy who proclaims the wonders of our free enterprise system and is viewed as the wisest of investors, Warren Buffett apparently is feeling a bit clammy when it comes to his MidAmerican Energy Company idea to build a nuclear power plant in Iowa.

First, MidAmerican last year convinced the legislature to have customers cough up $15 million for a 3-year study of the idea of building a nuclear plant in the state.

The Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc. -- owner of the Bettendorf and Davenport gambling "boats" -- lost $2.6 million, 8 cents per share, in the third quarter ended January 23.

The loss came despite an increase in revenues for the 3-month period from $227 million in the third quarter of 2010 to $232 million for the third quarter of 2011. The revenue increase was more than offset by higher interest costs totaling more than $21.5 million during the quarter.

McDonald's hopes to build a third restaurant in Bettendorf, this one along the 53rd Avenue corridor west of 18th Street.

A special use permit to allow a drive-up window for the fast-food outlet is scheduled for a public hearing Thursday (3/10) before the city's Board of Adjustment.

In the past five years, the City of Bettendorf's debt has nearly doubled, increasing from $57 million in fiscal 2006 to $105 million at of the end of June 2010.

An additional $17.3 million in general obligation bonds are due to be issued in the coming fiscal year beginning July 1.

Bettendorf residential property taxes would go up an average of 3.65 percent next year under the 2011/12 budget recommendation being considered by the city council.

While the city administration is recommending keeping the municipal tax rate the same as last year, increased residential property assessments are projected to boost most homeowner tax bills between 3 to 4 percent.

A downtown Bettendorf used car dealer -- forced to relocate because of the planned reconstruction of Interstate 74 -- wants the city to rezone a lot at the opposite end of the downtown corridor to keep the firm downtown.

The city's Planning and Zoning Commission recommended against the zoning change over concerns a used car lot would not fit with the new downtown master plan and streetscaping improvements under way in the downtown corridor.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is asking for nine new employees and seeking a ban on open burning of residential waste in all municipalities to begin addressing high levels of fine particulate pollution.

The open burning ban and funding request to staff educational programs and enhanced monitoring of PM 2.5 (particulate matter less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter) emissions are part of a comprehensive reported submitted to the governor and legislature January 3.

First quarter earnings at Lee Enterprises, parent of the Quad City Times, were 42 cents per share, a 32 percent decline from 62 cents per share reported for the same quarter a year ago.

The company trumpeted its double-digit growth in online ad revenue in its quarterly earnings release, but the media conglomerate's overall advertising revenue fell nearly 2 percent compared to the first quarter a year ago.